Mr12volt or Avinusa carplay system?

[BimmerRob08]

Fella's,

It looks like there are two options I'm aware of to go with. My system is a ccc iDrive and plan to upgrade to the cic for functionality since my DVD took a dump and I no longer can use my navigation so might as well upgrade.

With that, there is a lot of info I'm still trying to gather but wanted peoples experience with either or both systems. Mr12Volt vs. going with the Avinusa.

What pro's and con's? Connectivity issues, installation issues. Customer support level of help? etc.

Thanks,
RB

[o_g]

It may depend on how much you want to spend, and if you are concerned about audio quality.

The Avin is a complete replacement screen with an Android system built-in. It uses the Aux-in to feed audio.

Mr12Volt is an extension to your current iDrive system (either CCC or CIC), and is MOST fibrer loop compatible, so audio quality should be much better.

If you upgrade to the CIC, then you have a better screen and controller. You should check if there are compatibility issues with a CCC upgraded system with Mr12Volt.

[BimmerRob08]

Originally Posted by o_g

It may depend on how much you want to spend, and if you are concerned about audio quality.

The Avin is a complete replacement screen with an Android system built-in. It uses the Aux-in to feed audio.

Mr12Volt is an extension to your current iDrive system (either CCC or CIC), and is MOST fibrer loop compatible, so audio quality should be much better.

If you upgrade to the CIC, then you have a better screen and controller. You should check if there are compatibility issues with a CCC upgraded system with Mr12Volt.

Thank you! Well, as for cost I’m already in the mindset to make it better and as long as it ask works out, then the cost is worth it as I’m the original owner and doubt I’ll be buying a new M4 any time soon ($$$$$) lol!

If the sound quality is the same as either using my iPhone or iPod currently through the aux then I shouldn’t notice any different I would hope. And I do plan to upgrade to cic as I think I’m already committed to it. Hoping the wiring isn’t too much of a puzzle for me then should work out.

I’d be using iPhone so with the Avin, sounds like it will Interface but only through the head unit touch screen, which is fine I suppose.

[drwankel]

The cleanest and best end result would to be to retrofit CIC and then add a mr12volt box.

In addition to the end goal of getting carplay, you'll get the updated idrive interface for configuring the rest of the car, which is leaps and bounds better than the CCC interface that preceded it. You'll also get a higher resolution screen which makes carplay look considerably better than the resolution used by CCC.

The real advantage that the AVIN setup offers is the ability to add touch functionality to the screen. However, the idrive screen in the e9x is not placed anywhere where it is intended or comfortable to be touched, because its not. For that reason, I just don't consider it an important reason.

Mr12volt will deliver superior audio quality, and there's no getting around that. Until other companies start offering kits with MOST audio instead of AUX audio, it's the only sane choice.

A third option could be to retrofit NBT-EVO, which has native carplay, but that is a complex and expensive upgrade. CIC is significantly easier to retrofit in comparison.

You say you are the original owner of the car. I'm assuming since you still have it, that it's well taken care of. I'd go for the clean approach with the cic + mr12volt. The mr12volt system could be hypothetically replaced with some future device years from now, but at least you'll have CIC as the base with the higher resolution screen.

[BimmerRob08]

Originally Posted by drwankel

The cleanest and best end result would to be to retrofit CIC and then add a mr12volt box.

In addition to the end goal of getting carplay, you'll get the updated idrive interface for configuring the rest of the car, which is leaps and bounds better than the CCC interface that preceded it. You'll also get a higher resolution screen which makes carplay look considerably better than the resolution used by CCC.

The real advantage that the AVIN setup offers is the ability to add touch functionality to the screen. However, the idrive screen in the e9x is not placed anywhere where it is intended or comfortable to be touched, because its not. For that reason, I just don't consider it an important reason.

Mr12volt will deliver superior audio quality, and there's no getting around that. Until other companies start offering kits with MOST audio instead of AUX audio, it's the only sane choice.

A third option could be to retrofit NBT-EVO, which has native carplay, but that is a complex and expensive upgrade. CIC is significantly easier to retrofit in comparison.

You say you are the original owner of the car. I'm assuming since you still have it, that it's well taken care of. I'd go for the clean approach with the cic + mr12volt. The mr12volt system could be hypothetically replaced with some future device years from now, but at least you'll have CIC as the base with the higher resolution screen.

Thank you for the detailed input. I think that is all I need to know to make the choice. I’ll go with the Mr12v once I get the CiC system up and running, still got to order everything. There is an eBay seeker that will code with my vin I’ve been in contact with so hopefully I’ll get a nice set up that works properly.

[BimmerRob08]

Originally Posted by drwankel

The cleanest and best end result would to be to retrofit CIC and then add a mr12volt box.

In addition to the end goal of getting carplay, you'll get the updated idrive interface for configuring the rest of the car, which is leaps and bounds better than the CCC interface that preceded it. You'll also get a higher resolution screen which makes carplay look considerably better than the resolution used by CCC.

The real advantage that the AVIN setup offers is the ability to add touch functionality to the screen. However, the idrive screen in the e9x is not placed anywhere where it is intended or comfortable to be touched, because its not. For that reason, I just don't consider it an important reason.

Mr12volt will deliver superior audio quality, and there's no getting around that. Until other companies start offering kits with MOST audio instead of AUX audio, it's the only sane choice.

A third option could be to retrofit NBT-EVO, which has native carplay, but that is a complex and expensive upgrade. CIC is significantly easier to retrofit in comparison.

You say you are the original owner of the car. I'm assuming since you still have it, that it's well taken care of. I'd go for the clean approach with the cic + mr12volt. The mr12volt system could be hypothetically replaced with some future device years from now, but at least you'll have CIC as the base with the higher resolution screen.

One question though. As I read about the Mr12Volt, it says that the system won't work without the option for the CD changer installed in the car. I do not have that option installed. I'm going to install the cic, as I mentioned, because my DVD system isn't working anymore but is there anyway to use the Mr12v without the CD option?

[a5m]

Originally Posted by BimmerRob08

One question though. As I read about the Mr12Volt, it says that the system won't work without the option for the CD changer installed in the car. I do not have that option installed. I'm going to install the cic, as I mentioned, because my DVD system isn't working anymore but is there anyway to use the Mr12v without the CD option?

You just code it, doesn't have to be physically installed.

[drwankel]

Originally Posted by a5m

You just code it, doesn't have to be physically installed.

This. Never had a CD changer installed in the car. The mr12volt system impersonates a CD changer to supply audio over the MOST loop.

You may or may not have to have a single line of coding performed. I personally did not, but others did. It varies car to car.

[BimmerRob08]

Originally Posted by drwankel

This. Never had a CD changer installed in the car. The mr12volt system impersonates a CD changer to supply audio over the MOST loop.

You may or may not have to have a single line of coding performed. I personally did not, but others did. It varies car to car.

Right on. I’ve run across a few posts on coding but I’m a dummy when comes to that. If I do have to code, I’m thinking won’t know until middle of installation, what plug, software and I probably need to download on my laptop? Is there a one stop shop for this seller?

Thanks, appreciate the help.

Rob

[Thumbie]

If you are doing the CIC retrofit, I would recommend doing that first and getting it running properly, just to make sure, and then doing the mr12volt.

Doing both at once makes it a lil harder to troubleshoot if there is an issue

[greyspoke]

Originally Posted by BimmerRob08

One question though. As I read about the Mr12Volt, it says that the system won't work without the option for the CD changer installed in the car. I do not have that option installed. I'm going to install the cic, as I mentioned, because my DVD system isn't working anymore but is there anyway to use the Mr12v without the CD option?

Depending on how you plan to do the coding, you will want to code the CIC for the CD Change option before doing all of the work installing the mr12volt. I have a CIC car, 2010, but do not have a CD changer. I just installed the mr12volt completely and was planning on coding after the fact. Using Bimmercode, I was unable to see the module to code the CIC after installing the mr12volt harness. Luckily, after a few startups, the CIC recognized the my12volt automatically and no coding was needed. However, without that, I was going to have to undo my installation to do the coding.

[BimmerRob08]

Originally Posted by greyspoke

Depending on how you plan to do the coding, you will want to code the CIC for the CD Change option before doing all of the work installing the mr12volt. I have a CIC car, 2010, but do not have a CD changer. I just installed the mr12volt completely and was planning on coding after the fact. Using Bimmercode, I was unable to see the module to code the CIC after installing the mr12volt harness. Luckily, after a few startups, the CIC recognized the my12volt automatically and no coding was needed. However, without that, I was going to have to undo my installation to do the coding.

Ok so to recap, best to install the CIC, code it for the CD multiplayer, check function before installing Mr12Volt.

As for Bimmercode, I'm looking over their web page. What is the easiest option? I use iphone or better to go with the pc version?

Thanks,
Rob

[greyspoke]

Originally Posted by BimmerRob08

Ok so to recap, best to install the CIC, code it for the CD multiplayer, check function before installing Mr12Volt.

As for Bimmercode, I'm looking over their web page. What is the easiest option? I use iphone or better to go with the pc version?

Thanks,
Rob

Yes, I’d do it in the order you stated. As far as Bimmercode, a friend already had an android setup for it. So Ive just used his when I have done some coding. As an iPhone user as well, I haven't taken the jump for my own coding option yet. I was looking at Protool, but it doesn’t have an iPhone option. I have considered getting a dedicated android tablet for it.

[BimmerRob08]

Originally Posted by greyspoke

Yes, I’d do it in the order you stated. As far as Bimmercode, a friend already had an android setup for it. So Ive just used his when I have done some coding. As an iPhone user as well, I have taken the jump for my own coding option yet. I was looking at Protool, but it doesn’t have an iPhone option. I have considered getting a dedicated android tablet for it.

Well, sounds like I’ll have to try the IOS route or pc.

[Thumbie]

I bought the bimmercode full version (like $80), and the OBDlink CX is the reader i used which is meant to be paired with bimmercode.

Worked for me fine when coding the cd changer.

https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-cx/

Pretty cool to do other stuff, like setting how long you hold the lock button before all the windows roll up, etc.

[BimmerRob08]

Originally Posted by Thumbie

I bought the bimmercode full version (like $80), and the OBDlink CX is the reader i used which is meant to be paired with bimmercode.

Worked for me fine when coding the cd changer.

https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-cx/

Pretty cool to do other stuff, like setting how long you hold the lock button before all the windows roll up, etc.

Right on brother, I’ll check it out.

Cheers!
Rob